Editing Macintosh IIcx

{{Multiple issues|{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2023}}}}
{{Short description|Personal computer by Apple, Inc.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Macintosh IIcx
| aka = "Aurora"<ref name=macworldsecrets />
| family = [[Macintosh II family|Macintosh II]]
| developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer, Inc.]]
| image = Macintosh IIcx.jpg
| caption =
| release date = {{start date|1989|03|07}}
| MSRP = {{USD|5369|1989|round=-1}}
| CPU = [[Motorola 68030]]
| CPUspeed = 16 MHz
| OS = [[System 6|System 6.0.3]] - [[System 7|7.5.5]], [[A/UX]] <!-- We have not seen a Macintosh IIcx with a 68040 update to be compatible with Mac OS 7.6 to 7.61, so please do not add this yet until it is confirmed -->
| RAM = 1&nbsp;[[megabyte|MB]] or 2&nbsp;MB, expandable to 128&nbsp;MB
| RAMtype = 120 ns 30-pin SIMM
| weight = {{convert|13.6|lb|kg}}
| dimensions = Height: {{convert|5.5|in|cm}}<br>Width: {{convert|11.9|in|cm}}<br>Depth: {{convert|14.4|in|cm}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1991|03|11}}
| predecessor = [[Macintosh II]]
| successor = [[Macintosh IIci]]
| related = [[Macintosh IIx]]
}}

The '''Macintosh IIcx''' is a [[personal computer]] designed, manufactured and sold by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer, Inc.]] from March 1989 to March 1991. Introduced six months after the [[Macintosh IIx]], the IIcx resembles the IIx and provides the same performance, but is {{Convert|7|in|cm|spell=in}} narrower, {{Convert|10|lb|kg|spell=in}} lighter, and quieter due to a smaller internal fan. The relative compactness results in three [[NuBus]] slots being available,<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP196
| title = Macintosh IIcx: Technical Specifications
| publisher = Apple
| access-date = June 6, 2017
| archive-date = August 6, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120806143935/http://support.apple.com/kb/SP196
| url-status = live
}}</ref> compared with six on the IIx.<ref name=macworldsecrets>{{cite book
| chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/macworldmacsecre00pogu/page/468
| chapter-url-access = registration
| title = MacWorld Mac Secrets, 5th Edition
| chapter = Chapter 12: From 128K to Quadra: Mac to Mac
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/macworldmacsecre00pogu/page/468 468 - 469]
| publisher = [[IDG Books]]
| date = 1999
| first1 = David
| last1 = Pogue
| author-link = David Pogue
| first2 = Joseph
| last2 = Schorr
| isbn = 0-7645-4040-8
}}</ref>

The new case, Apple's first to be designed to operate in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, remained in use for its successors the [[Macintosh IIci]] and [[Macintosh Quadra 700|Quadra 700]]. The idea for vertical orientation, one of the first [[minitower]] cases, was suggested by Apple CEO [[John Sculley]], who was running out of space on his desk,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/mac2cx.html|title=History of computer design: Macintosh IIcx|website=landsnail.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020530000216/http://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/mac2cx.html|archive-date=May 30, 2002|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref> despite the fact that the new layout actually took more space once the monitor was taken into account. The model was designated IIcx for ''compact'' (echoing the earlier [[Apple IIc]]), and the ''x'' was Apple's designation for the [[Motorola 68030]] processor.

Users liked the Mac IIcx, in part, because its components and parts (such as the RAM, [[NuBus]] slots, and power supply) snapped into place inside the case without the need for screws. There was one central safety screw that tied the assembly together though it was often not reinstalled if ever removed. At the IIcx's introduction, [[Jean-Louis Gassée]] demonstrated the IIcx's modular design by assembling one from parts in front of the audience.<ref>{{cite magazine
| url = http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.05/05.11/Nov89Letters/index.html
| title = Apple Introduces Two New Macs
| last = Smith
| first = David E.
| date = November 1989
| magazine = MacTech
| language = en
| access-date = May 2, 2017
| archive-date = May 15, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170515081504/http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.05/05.11/Nov89Letters/index.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> This made it less expensive to build, easier to repair, and earned it heavy praise and a warm reception amongst the Mac community.  The machine was also the lightest in Apple's lineup at the time.<ref name=macworld8904>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/stream/MacWorld_8904_April_1989#page/n131/mode/2up
| title = The Compact Mac
| date = April 1989
| pages = 130–137
| magazine = [[Macworld]]
| first = Lon
| last = Poole
| volume = 6
| issue = 4
}}</ref> However, unlike the II and IIx, in many versions of the IIcx the CPU is soldered to the logic board and therefore cannot be upgraded. The case is also unable to accommodate 5 1/4" or full-height hard disk drives.<ref name=macworld8904 />

This model was superseded by the [[Macintosh IIci]], which used the same case. It was designed by Gavin Ivester.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of computer design: Macintosh IIcx |url=https://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/mac2cx.html |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=www.landsnail.com}}</ref>

== Timeline ==
{{Timeline of Macintosh II models}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_ii/stats/mac_iicx.html Specifications at Everymac.com]
*[http://tech-insider.org/mac/research/1989/0307.html Apple Announces New Versatile Macintosh IIcx With 68030 Performance in a Small-Sized Modular Design] - press release

{{Apple hardware before 1998}}

[[Category:Macintosh II|cx]]
[[Category:68k Macintosh computers|IIcx]]
[[Category:Macintosh desktops|IIcx]]
[[Category:A/UX-capable Macintoshes|IIcx]]
[[Category:Macintosh case designs|IIcx]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1989]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 1991]]

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